Serving Size : 40
1/2 cup heavy cream
1-1/2 tablespoons crushed star anise, (about 8)
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, fine-quality
1 tablespoon cognac
1-1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
Bring cream to a boil with star anise in a small heavy saucepan, then remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes.
Finely grind bittersweet chocolate in a food processor and transfer to a bowl.
Return cream to a simmer, then remove from heat and stir in Cognac. Sour cream mixture through a fine sieve onto chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted and ganache is smooth. Pour ganache into an 8- by 4-inch loaf pan lined with plastic wrap, smoothing top, and chill, uncovered, until firm, about 4 hours.
Loosen edges of ganache with a sharp small knife and invert onto a cutting surface. Remove plastic wrap and cut ganache into 40 squares.
Dust your palms with cocoa and roll each piece of ganache between them to form a ball. Drop ball into cocoa bowl and turn to cover completely. Lift truffle with a fork and transfer to a plate. Chill truffles, covered, until ready to serve.
NOTE:
Truffles keep, covered and chilled, 1 week.
Amount Per Serving: 48 Calories (kcal); 5g Total Fat; (69% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; 4mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates